During dinner the topic naturally reverted to the odd custom of the Derbyshire ponies.
"There aren't many at any given time, naturally, but when there are, in May there is a great festival in Derby where they compete in contests and the common folk are allowed to enjoy them," Mrs. Gardiner explained.
Elizabeth could scarcely wait to return to her room to witness this strange custom up close.
Her aunt understood her haste and bid her enjoy herself, giving a few parting instructions. Blushing, Elizabeth retired.
Darcy was squatting, his hands laced behind his neck, facing the wall. The tail was no longer restrained by a harness, but she could see that it was retained inside him by some invading presence. He was now naked save for the collar, tail and gag, and his fine musculature shown clear in the candlelight.
The restraint of masculine power thus demonstrated moved Elizabeth, and she yearned to grant the relief that she had heard of. But she was intimidated and hesitated.
First she assumed her night dress.
Then she looked in the bag. There were different tails, attached to phalluses meant to be inserted as she had seen. They varied -- some were long and narrow, others short and bulbed. There were also double-ended such objects, and she grasped their use after a few moments' puzzlement.
The rest of the bag was filled with shackles and an assortment of whips and other items of torment she could not name. She could not bring herself to think of using any of these upon him. His proud demeanor must cover great suffering, she thought, and she longed to bring him some surcease.
Unsure of how to address him, she encouraged him to rise by gentle pressure on his elbow. Gracefully he rose to face her, hands still at the back of his neck, eyes fixed on the distance.